Fed Up! Chicago Students Demand Changes To Zero-Tolerance Policy

A Chicago student advocacy group rallied at the Chicago Public Schools headquarters last Thursday to demand revisions to its school’s zero-tolerance disciplinary policies.

The Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE) called the current policies a “skewed set of regulations” that allow teachers to expel or harshly punish students if they deem them “disruptive.”

The zero-tolerance policies were originally created to keep the school safe from drugs and violence, but students say they now are receiving harsh punishment for bringing cell phones to school, or not wearing parts of their uniforms.

VOYCE is calling on CPS to end the overuse of costly, ineffective harsh disciplinary policies, and instead make smart investments in the policies needed to build safe, supportive and engaging learning environments. They claim that it’s the right thing for students, families and taxpayers alike.